LOCAL MOTORSPORTS: Hodnett, Howard win Thunder features

By Special to 21st Century Media

Wednesday, July 31, 2013

The NAPA Auto Parts Thunder on the Hill Racing Series returned to action Tuesday night at Grandview Speedway, showcasing the MACH 1 Chassis 410 Sprints and the Pioneer Pole Buildings’ 16th annual Race of Champions for modifieds.

Beautiful weather and a field of 68 cars attracted a huge crowd for the 108th Thunder On The Hill Racing Series event, which saw Greg Hodnett win the sprint feature and Duane Howard the modified event. The 24th season of Thunder on the Hill is a co-promotion between special events organizer Bob Miller and Grandview Speedway track owner Bruce Rogers.

The 35-lap MACH 1 Chassis feature was a barn-burner. Former URC champion J.J. Grasso brought the field down for the green; but before the field entered turn one, the red flag was displayed for Ryan Taylor, who flipped exiting turn four.

On the restart, Grasso set the pace with Mark Smith and Australian driver James McFadden in the chase. Grasso maintained a comfortable lead until Lap Seven, when the yellow was displayed for a mix-up in turn one involving Jessica Anderson, Trevor Utt and Dan Mazy.

When the race resumed, Grasso, Smith and Greg Hodnett were now the top three. Hodnett was on a charge, taking over second on Lap 11. Alan Krimes was the next new name to enter the chase for the win, now racing in fourth.

With the halfway sign displayed, Grasso remained the leader followed by Hodnett, McFadden, Krimes and Mark Smith. One lap later, McFadden moved into second and began to chase down the leader. Grasso and McFadden raced wheel-to-wheel for the lead, McFadden taking the top spot on Lap 25.

With just 10 laps remaining, slower traffic was now in front of McFadden, and Grasso and Hodnett were all over the leader. Grasso challenged to regain the top spot.

With two laps to go, Hodnett moved into second with Grasso close and in the chase. With the white flag waving, a lapped car spun in front of the leaders entering turn one. McFadden bobbled and Hodnett took advantage and the lead.

On the final lap, McFadden made still another bid for the lead. But Hodnett was up to the challenge, going on to score his first Thunder victory of 2013 — the sixth of his career. McFadden finished an impressive second, with Grasso third, Krimes fourth and Fred Rahmer fifth.

The Pioneer Pole Buildings’ 16th annual “Traffic Jam” saw Howard dominate the 60-lap feature, but not without challenges from Craig VonDohren. Also on a charge was Billy Pauch and Ryan Godown, until they tangled on Lap 15.

At the drop of the green to restart the race, Howard remained the leader with VonDohren challenging as MeMe DeSantis and Doug Manmiller moved into the picture. The race went on with Howard holding off VonDohren.

On Lap 36, Rick Laubach worked his way to fourth, challenging DeSantis for third. With just 20 laps to go, Howard, VonDohren, Laubach, DeSantis and Manmiller made-up the Top Five. Laubach appeared as though he might be able to serve up a challenge to Howard and VonDohren; then on Lap 48, he pulled to the infield.

With just 10 laps to go, VonDohren drove up to the outside boiler-plate and made repeated challenges for the lead; but with each attempt, Howard remained the leader. Howard took the win — his first ever Traffic Jam victory, and fifth of his Thunder career — with VonDohren second, DeSantis third, Manmiller fourth and Mike Gular fifth.

In total, more than $48,000 was paid out. A $5,000 payday went to Hodnett for winning the sprint feature as Howard earned $5,000 for winning the modified main.